Veteran defender Liam Ridgewell first came to Portland two years ago, and now that he has settled into the Rose City, he details some of his favorite things about his adopted home.
Family Man
Ridgewell is big on family time, so when they visit Portland from across the pond, he takes them straight to the water or out on the golf links to knock around a bit and enjoy the good weather.
"Once my kids see the weather, they'll want to jump straight in the lake."
Compared to Home
For most of his career, Ridgewell called London his home. Although London is one of the biggest cities in the world, the Timbers captain has noticed similarities between Portland and his old stomping grounds.
"Living in London was different because it's a big city. There are couple places I go to in London--Shoreditch and Hoxtin--where I would go out with my friends and they are very similar to Portland."
Adapting to Portland
When you move to a different city, it takes time to get accustomed to your surroundings, as quirky as they may be sometimes. For Ridgewell, he's embraced the Portland culture, identifying passionate Timbers fans as a big reason for his seamless transition.
"I would have to say the fans offering me a beer while I'm playing and warming up before the match. That's definitely something that I've become accustomed to."
Good Eats
Since coming to Portland, Ridgewell has come to appreciate the wide variety of food available throughout the area. When it comes to his three daily meals, the Bexleyheath native identifies a few of his favorite places.
"For breakfast, I would have to say Babica Hen Café (15964 Boones Ferry Rd.). They do some mean eggs benedicts. For lunch, I would say Stickmen Brewing Company (40 N State St.). For a dinner spot, I would say Aji Tram (4477 Lakeview Blvd.), Hop N Cork (17450 Lower Boones Ferry Rd.) and Jefe (16360 SW Boones Ferry Rd). I'll rotate through those three during the week."
